Bangladesh were 76 for 2 at lunch on the opening day of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday. After losing two early wickets, Mominul Haque and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto stitched together an unbroken 40-run partnership to steady the innings.
After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, Bangladesh lost both openers, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam, before the first drinks break.
Right-hander Joy fell to Newman Nyamhuri after offering a catch to wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga while attempting to flick a back-of-a-length delivery. He was dismissed for 11.
Shadman, who survived 37 deliveries, made 20 off 38 balls with three fours before edging a length ball from Brad Evans to second slip, where Craig Ervine completed the catch.
However, Mominul looked in fine touch and played positively throughout the session. Of his 41* runs, 36 came in boundaries as he struck nine fours, while Shanto remained composed at the other end, reaching the interval unbeaten on 9 off 39 balls.
Zimbabwe’s pace attack made full use of the new ball, extracting movement, bounce and carry to trouble Bangladesh’s top order. But Mominul and Shanto negotiated the challenge well to guide the visitors through to lunch without further damage.
